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Government looks set to order clampdowns on EPC disobedience

New advice has been issued by Communities and Local Government to all local Weights and Measures officers about the policing of Energy Performance Certificates.

The advice makes it clear that £200 fines can be levied if rental or sales properties do not have EPCs when the law requires - in the case of rental properties, at least every ten years, and in the case of sales properties, every time the property is sold.

It also says that EPCs must be produced to Weights and Measures officers within seven days of them demanding it.

The mere fact that the advice has been issued suggests that there may now be policing of EPCs. It is thought that many landlords have been ignoring the requirement, which is also being universally flouted in the commercial sector.

The advice also spells out that EPCs "must be made available to any prospective buyers or tenant at the earliest opportunity, and no later than the time at which information in writing is first given on request to such a person, or such a person views the building concerned".